Marian was born June 26, 1936, to Verl and Kathryn (Till) Appel. She was raised in Fremont and graduated from North Bend High School. After high school Marian attended Midland Luther College where she majored in Special Education. After college Marian went on to teach in rural schools around the Fremont area. She married Dale Pawling in 1957 and they went on to raise five children of their own. Marian worked at various places while raising a family including Schweser's and the Holiday Lodge, both in Fremont. Expressed in her college studies and throughout Marian's life she had a passion for the wellbeing of special needs children and brought great comfort and love to many including Tammy, her own special needs child. Later in life the family began Prairie Angels Crafts. The family made and sold their crafts at many fairs and even hosted special events at their home. Marian was very creative and expressed that creativity in the crafts and art projects that will continue to live on in countless homes throughout Nebraska. Throughout her life Marian had a passion for children, particularly her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and she played a deeply meaningful role in their upbringing and her love and influence in that regard will live on in them for many generations. Marian loved seeing her children and grandchildren compete in virtually any endeavor and enjoyed and took great pride in their successes. Marian will be profoundly missed by her friends and family, each of whom feel blessed to have been part of her life.